Rock the Damn Boat

How Curiosity Builds a Celebrated Career: The Non-Linear Path to Leadership with Rachel Skaff

Rachel Skaff is the Senior Vice President of Sales at FedEx and a veteran of the tech industry with past leadership stints at AWS and Intel. Known for her "messy, magical, and spectacular" career path, Rachel combines the technical mind of a computer scientist with the heart of a mentor. She is a passionate champion for STEM and a believer that an exceptional life only happens outside of your comfort zone. When she isn't scaling global organizations, she’s exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations with her six children. Join Christy as she discusses Rachel's wide variety of industries, from hardhat construction as a civil engineer to global logistics with FedEx. At the heart of everything Rachel does is a curiosity for how things work, how to simplify them, and how to improve the world around us. Beyond the P&L, Rachel is a fierce advocate for inclusive leadership and STEM education. She is a sought-after voice on the "Human Advantage" in the age of AI, believing that vulnerability and authenticity are the ultimate drivers of high-performing cultures. Rachel holds an MBA from Regis University and is an alumna of Columbia Business School. Based in the Phoenix area, she is a mother of six and an avid adventurer who can be found hiking or boating when she isn't transforming global sales organizations. What We Discuss: * Rachel's starting line, and how her career has looked more like an obstacle course than a run * The key traits of steady leadership * The difficult but necessary act of listening * How we can shape the next generation through understanding and support * How grabbing the markers help us play it big Follow Rachel's colorful career and tips on compassionate leadership and presence on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelskaff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelskaff/] Learn more about Christy's work at thrivewithchristy.com [http://thrivewithchristy.com]

Lake Tahoe Hiking Adventure: My Favorite Northern California Trails & Bruised (and Bare) Bums

Christy shares a thrilling (and hilarious) hiking adventure through Northern California and Tahoe, complete with a rickety bridge crossing, a steep tumble, and an unexpected visit to a secret clothing-optional beach. This episode is all about courage, rediscovery, and the messy side of stepping outside your comfort zone. ---------------------------------------- What Happened Christy tackled a challenging hike that included crossing a sketchy wooden bridge and navigating a steep descent—which ended with a literal fall on her bum and a bruise to prove it. The adventure took an amusing turn when she discovered a clothing-optional beach nearby, where she became one of many "bums" enjoying nature in the raw. Why It Matters This isn't just a funny story—it's about what happens when you revisit things you used to love and push past the fear that says you can't. 3 Key Takeaways 1. Enjoy Nature — Get outside. The views, the fresh air, and the reminder that you're small in the best way. 2. Revisit Things You Used to Love — Hiking used to be Christy's thing. Coming back to it brought joy she'd forgotten. 3. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone — That's where the story (and the bruise) come from. Growth isn't always graceful. Safety Reminder Be sun smart and always tell someone where you're going—especially on solo or remote hikes. Follow me on Instagram for more hiking photos www.instagram.com/rockthedamnboat [http://www.instagram.com/rockthedamnboat] Find out more about The Thrive Collective www.thrivewithchristy.com [http://www.thrivewithchristy.com]

How a Layoff Led to a Creative Sabbatical with Real Time Creator Host, Alison Kinsey

Getting laid off doesn't have to be the end of the story — sometimes it's the opening scene. In this episode of RTDB, I sit down with Alison Kinsey, host of the Real Time Creator podcast. After being laid off last year, Alison didn't scramble for the next "safe" job — she leaned into creative work and said yes to whatever came her way. She already had the skills: Alison runs a podcast editing business with her husband, and that behind-the-scenes experience became the launchpad for her own show. We talk about: * What it actually felt like to get laid off — and the mindset shift after * Why she chose to build something of her own instead of job-hunting * How her editing business gave her an unfair advantage in podcasting * What "leaning into whatever comes" has looked like in practice * Advice for creators thinking about launching their own show Connect with Alison: 🎙️ Podcasting for Creatives: https://www.podcastingforcreatives.com/ [https://www.podcastingforcreatives.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-langone/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-langone/] IG: https://www.instagram.com/alisonkinsey/ [https://www.instagram.com/alisonkinsey/]

RTDB Monday Mini: Crowdsourced Tips for Speaking Your Truth (While Still Being Polite)

In this episode of RTDB, Christy shares the responses from her viral reel on saying what's true instead of what's polite — sparked by a real moment where a podcast guest asked to reschedule two months out, and she defaulted to "it's fine" when it really wasn't. What you'll learn: * Why "it's fine" is often a polite lie, not a real answer * Crowdsourced advice from RTDB listeners on ditching doormat status * Practical phrases to use when you want to say no but default to yes * How disrupted boundaries show up in everyday moments — not just big confrontations

Breaking the Stigma of Workplace Mental Health Support: Laura Kunz, President of Spirence

What if the support people need most arrives before the crisis hits? In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Laura Kunz, co-founder and President of Spirence, for an honest conversation about recovery, resilience, and why workplace mental health support can't wait until burnout becomes a breakdown. Laura's path is anything but linear — from selling water filtration systems in early recovery (and getting called out for her recovery journey) to building a career in behavioral health to co-founding Spirence. Spirence is an award-winning wellness platform that lets you choose the learning tools that best fit your needs. Her story is proof that need drives ingenuity. In this episode: * Why people need mental health and wellness support before they reach crisis * How Laura's own recovery shaped her approach to behavioral health * What Spirence offers and who it's designed to serve * The joy of podcasting — and Laura's show, Prevention Pioneers * Breaking the stigma around asking for help at work * What Laura's personal tools are for mental health fitness If you've ever white-knuckled your way through burnout instead of reaching out, this one's for you. 🎙️ Connect with Laura: spirencewellness.com [http://spirencewellness.com] Listen to Laura's show: Prevention Pioneers podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/38LpdX5oADe3X3Pv1rQBnW?si=6b64733805b54bf0] Connect with Christy and learn more about The Thrive Collective at thrivewithchristy.com [http://thrivewithchristy.com]